The government dropping the most serious allegation, against statehood activist Sonam Wangchuk, raises even more questions for authorities, than his detention did six months ago. From the time he was picked up and lodged in Jodhpur jail, it was clear the draconian National Security Act had been invoked without application of mind. Wangchuk was accused of inciting a protest in Ladakh, akin to the those of Bangladesh and Nepal, why... even Arab Spring was dropped into the mix. His actions were termed "prejudicial to the security of the state". He was on his fifth protest fast (Delhi Chalo Padyatra) for statehood, and inclusion of Ladakh in Sixth Schedule. Yet, instead of letting a peaceful protest carry on, authorities jailed him for six months under the NSA besides also linking him to the deaths of protesters. Wangchuk's release comes after the Centre concluded that "Ladakh's problems" must be resolved through "engagement and dialogue". Are fundamental freedoms so vulnerable to this extent to a govt's shifting frameworks for governance? Surely not. The government finally recognised that crackdowns and heavy-handed responses foment trouble, while peaceful protests form the beating heart of a healthy democracy.
